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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

The Puddlecluck's Adventure

Labels: , at 10:40 AM

When we first got Mr. and Mrs. Puddlecluck, we were told that we should keep them in an enclosed area for six to eight weeks, as Guinea Fowl like to roam.  They said we needed to "teach" them where home was so that when they eventually free-roamed they would return at night.  This made us a bit nervous as we usually let our chicks out every day.  So we looked up on our favorite chicken site - BackYard Chickens to see what we could find about them.  Everything we can find says that they will roam up to a 1/2 mile away from their roosting spot.  Hmmmm...

So on Saturday we let the chickens and guinea fowl out to free-range for the first time since setting in our unfenced garden about 6 weeks ago.  We wanted it to get established before we let them out to dust and roam.  The chickens were estactic.  I think the guinea were even more so - you should have heard them chatter!

Fast forward about an hour.  Mr. and Mrs. Puddlecluck are wandering down the driveway.  Chattering away.  They are almost to the road.  I sneak out behind them to try to shoo them back into the yard.  They take off running.  It must have quite an amusing site for our neighbors.

So they take off down the road.  I wish I would have taken my camera.  They were so cute - they were chattering and meandering off to the west.  Just like an old married couple.  Then they crossed the street.  About an hour later I saw them mid-way down the field across the road.  An hour after that they were out of site.

The kids were pretty worried they would not come back.  We kept checking.  They kept looking into the fields.  I just hoped they would find us.

Shortly before dinner I heard their distinctive chatter.  They were back in the pen, happy as could be and wet as if they'd played in the rain.  I don't know where they went, but it must have been a good time!  They were chattering at the chickens and our rooster, Mr. Speckles looked just disgusted with what they were telling him - guess he was jealous that he didn't get to go on an adventure!

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